Castan y Lecca Group
If you have experienced an accident, injury, or lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you have experienced a personal injury. These cases are complex and require the guidance of an expert personal injury attorney.  The first step in understanding personal injury is to define and categorize personal injury. As stated previously, personal injury is defined as any injury or death caused by a negligent party.

Types of Personal Injury 

Personal injury cases have their own categories and complexities. Although they differ in some ways, it is imperative to act quickly and hire an expert personal injury lawyer. 

Medical Malpractice 

Medical Malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional causes injury to a patient by negligent care. This form of personal injury has very serious ramifications for the patients. An injury at the hands of a medical professional is frustrating and damaging. Medical malpractice can occur in the following ways: 
  • Misdiagnosis 
  • Performing incorrect surgery
  • Infection at the surgical site 
And many other ways that compromise your health as a patient. When pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit, you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side.

Car Accident 

Car Accidents are a very common form of personal injury. Every day 76% of Americans hit the road to get to their jobs, school, or other errands throughout the day. The sheer number of drivers combined with things like speeding and distracted driving create a stressful environment for drivers.  Were you involved in a car accident? Follow these steps to ensure your case meets its full potential. 
  • Document everything: Take photos of the scene, talk to any potential witnesses, get contact information for witnesses, and record your physical and mental health during and after the accident.
  • Receive medical care: Even if you feel fine, still receive medical care. This will provide documentation of your injuries and showcase that you saw a medical professional to verify any injuries.
  • Get legal representation: Legal representation will guide you through your case. Hiring legal representation will make the difficult parts of this process easier.
  • File a lawsuit: Once you have hired legal representation, you can move forward with a lawsuit against the negligent party. 

Slip & Fall

Slip and fall cases are complex in nature. These cases are based on who exactly was negligent and in what ways. The state of Georgia determines negligence and liability by a concept known as modified comparative negligence. This is a way to determine what percentage of negligence falls on a particular party. For example, if a jury finds you 15% at fault, you are entitled to 85% of the damages. This will be reflected in a 15% reduction in your initial settlement.

You’re Ready to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit. What’s Next?

Now that you are informed on the types of personal injury, it is time to take action in your situation. Tackling this case alone will be difficult. That is why the personal injury attorneys at Castan and Lecca are experts in these specific cases. We will work with you every step of the way to ensure that you get the results you deserve.

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Here is a glimpse into what your legal process may look like:
  1. Hiring a lawyer. Consult an attorney immediately when you are injured. Your attorney will help you decide whether to pursue an insurance settlement or if a lawsuit is necessary. Talking with a lawyer as soon as possible after your injury is one of the best things you can do to ensure maximum protection.
  2. Getting started. This is the prep stage where you’ll be filling out paperwork and notifying the other party that you’re going to be filing a suit. Your personal injury attorney will walk you through each part of this process and will officially file the suit in court. Once a suit is filed and the defendant is served, the process moves into the discovery stage.
  3. Pursuing full discovery. The discovery phase can be pretty long: several months to a year. For you, it may involve continued doctor’s appointments, logging expenses and pain and suffering from the injury, and a lot of time on the phone with your insurance company and your attorney. For your attorney, this phase involves gathering information, examining witnesses, securing documentation, and consolidating all the evidence that will be used in the court trial.
  4. Attempting settlement. Throughout the process, efforts are made to arrive at an acceptable settlement via mediation or arbitration. If this can be accomplished, that’s usually in the best interests of all parties. If no settlement can be reached outside of court, then the case will go to trial.
  5. Going to trial. At the trial, both sides will have the opportunity to present their evidence to the judge or jury. The jury will hand down the verdict on the case and decide compensation parameters. If either side is dissatisfied with the result, they can appeal the decision. A successful appeal could result in another trial or an alteration of the settlement terms.
  6. Collecting the settlement. If you win the case, you begin to collect the compensation owed to you once the proceedings are complete. The settlement may be due in a lump sum or in smaller payments, depending on the dictates of the jury.

Castan & Lecca: Expert Attorneys In Atlanta

Once again, this is only a general overview of a process that is nuanced and individually customized. Our personal injury lawyers are specialists in this field and are committed to keeping you informed, being honest with you throughout the entire process.  Take the next step in your personal injury case and contact Castan and Lecca Attorneys. We will work with you to get the compensation you deserve.
(864)761-4141

Dustin Thompson

Attorney

Dustin Thompson was raised in rural Camilla, Georgia. Dustin graduated from Georgia Southern University majoring in political science and history. After graduation, Dustin obtained a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta. Before becoming a lawyer, Dustin worked a variety of jobs from a watermelon farm in Mitchell County to a policy think tank in Washington D.C. Dustin has practiced law almost exclusively in the workers’ compensation arena since 2014. For nearly a decade, he worked for a large defense firm in Georgia representing employers and insurers and gaining the invaluable experience and knowledge of how insurers defend claims. In 2023, Dustin joined the firm to use his expertise and litigation skills to help individuals who have been injured as a result of work accidents and third-party negligence.  Dustin has been repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” in the practice of workers’ compensation. Outside of work, Dustin enjoys traveling, hunting, and attending sporting events. He and his family are active in Buckhead Church.

MICHAEL BOESCHEN

Attorney

Michael Boeschen (Mike) was born in Wichita, KS and raised in Chattanooga, TN. Mike graduated from The McCallie School and went on to study history, Spanish, and Latin American Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from the University Of Georgia School Of Law. During law school, Mike participated in the Legal Aid Clinic, assisting in the defense of indigent criminal defendants. Mike has been licensed to practice law in Georgia since 2002 and his main practice area consists of representing injured workers as they navigate through the Georgia workers’ compensation system. Mike is also fluent in Spanish. In his spare time Mike enjoys following soccer, cooking, and spending time with his wife and two young daughters. Mike and his family are parishioners of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, GA

CHRISTIAN PECONE

Attorney

ED DENKER

Attorney

Edward Denker was born in Philadelphia, PA but has made Georgia his home since 1999. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. He then earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia. Edward spent his first years in practice representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death claims. He then spent more than a decade honing his litigation skills representing employers and insurers in workers’ compensation claims, where he gained immense experience and knowledge of how insurers defend those claims. In 2017, Edward returned to his passion of representing people who have been injured at work or through the negligence of others. When he isn’t working, Edward enjoys spending time with his wife and their two children. He is also an avid sports fan, and enjoys cooking and travel

ILIANA DOBREV

Attorney

Iliana Dobrev was born in Bulgaria. After high school, she immigrated to the United States to study law. She graduated magna cum laude from Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s in political science concentrating on pre-law and minoring in Spanish. In 2015, she graduated from Georgia State University College of Law. While in law school, Iliana completed a Graduate Research Assistantship in Labor and Employment Law and Employment Discrimination and two externships in Immigration Law. As an immigrant herself, Iliana is passionate about advocating for and defending immigrants. She is delighted to help families stay together and pursue the American dream. Iliana is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and worked in both a fellowship and a firm specializing in immigration law. Iliana is fluent in Bulgarian and Spanish
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KEN THAXTON

Attorney

Ken Thaxton was born and raised in Roberta, GA. When Ken was a child, his father started a trucking business, which Ken ultimately spent over ten years working with through his late teens and twenties. Ken graduated from Houston County High School in Warner Robins, GA in 2001 with a 4.0 GPA. He then studied Business and Information Technology at Macon State College, ultimately graduating with a 4.0 GPA in 2004. After graduation, Ken continued to work with his father’s trucking company, and in late 2005, Ken and his father started an aircraft charter company, Southern Jet, Inc., under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Ken served as President of Southern Jet from 2006 until 2010, when he and his father sold the company. Ken is a Commercially Licensed Instrument, Multi-Engine Pilot. While serving as President of Southern Jet, Ken started Law School at the University of Georgia School of Law in 2009. Ken focused primarily on business and civil law, including Workers’ Compensation, while at UGA. He graduated Cum Laude and in the top 25% of his class from UGA Law in 2012. Ken is a licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia, and he is also a licensed neutral (mediator) in the State of Georgia. Ken represents small businesses in transactional matters and business conflicts, and he also represents injured workers and Plaintiffs injured in cases of negligence. During his spare time, Ken enjoys swimming, cycling, sporting clays, and fishing. He also does charity work with a national scholarship fund
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ALEXANDER LECCA

Attorney

Alexander Lecca (Alex) was born in Miami, Florida to immigrant parents from Cuba and Peru. Alex graduated from Coral Gables High School, where he was a recipient of the Elsa Glazer Award (given to students who graduate with a 3.5 GPA and above). He went on to study marketing at the University of Miami School of Business Administration. At the University of Miami he was also a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. In law school, Alex received several book awards and graduated Cum Laude. During law school Alex clerked for the Honorable Beth Bloom, had an internship with the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s office, and clerked for a prestigious litigation law firm. Alex is licensed to practice law in both Georgia and Florida and handles workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. He is also a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. Alex is also fluent in Spanish. During his spare time, Alex enjoys outdoor activities with his wife and four children. He also helps coach his children’s baseball, football, basketball, and soccer teams. Alex and his family are parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church

DANIEL CASTAN 

Attorney

Dan Castan is a senior partner at Castan and Lecca, PC in Buckhead and represents injured workers before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation and plaintiffs in State and Superior Courts of Georgia for injuries suffered in accidents. Dan litigated one of the seminal claims securing the rights of undocumented workers to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits in the state of Georgia when injured in the case of Wet Walls, Inc. vs. Ledesma. Dan has successfully fought and settled multi million dollar cases. He was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey to immigrant parents from Cuba. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and received his Juris Doctor from The Washington College of Law at The American University in Washington D.C.  Dan was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November, 1993.  He is an active member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Atlanta Bar Association and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Dan is a founding member and Director of the Latino Victory Fund Georgia and serves on the Board of The Latin American Association. Dan has been dedicated to getting Latinos elected to local, state and Federal offices in Georgia. He has been a Big Brother through Big Brothers and Sisters of Metro Atlanta and a mentor through The Latin American Association’s mentor/mentee program. Dan is married with two children.